# Cosmos 738
**Wikidata**: [Q12907790](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12907790)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-738

## Summary  
Cosmos 738 (also known as Kosmos 738) was a Soviet military communications satellite launched in 1975 as part of the Strela-1M constellation. It was deployed using a Kosmos-3M rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome to support secure military communications for the Soviet Union.

## Key Facts  
- **Launch Date**: May 28, 1975, at 00:25:01 UTC.  
- **Launch Vehicle**: Kosmos-3M rocket.  
- **Launch Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-045G.  
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN)**: 07827.  
- **Class**: Strela-1M, a military communications satellite.  
- **Operator**: Soviet Union (later Russia).  
- **Significant Event**: Rocket launch from Plesetsk Cosmodrome.  

## FAQs  
### Q: What was the purpose of Cosmos 738?  
A: Cosmos 738 was a military communications satellite designed to provide secure communication channels for the Soviet armed forces as part of the Strela-1M network.  

### Q: Where was Cosmos 738 launched from?  
A: It was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, specifically Site 132, a primary Soviet/Russian space launch facility.  

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 738?  
A: The Kosmos-3M, a reliable Soviet launch vehicle, was used to deploy Cosmos 738 into orbit.  

## Why It Matters  
Cosmos 738 played a critical role in the Soviet Union's military communications infrastructure during the Cold War. As part of the Strela-1M constellation, it ensured secure and reliable communication for military operations, a strategic necessity for the USSR. Its launch demonstrated the Soviet Union's continued investment in space-based military technology, reinforcing its position in the space race. The satellite's deployment also highlighted the capabilities of the Kosmos-3M rocket, a workhorse of Soviet space missions.  

## Notable For  
- **Military Role**: Part of the Strela-1M network, a key Soviet military communications system.  
- **Reliable Launch**: Deployed by the Kosmos-3M, a proven Soviet launch vehicle.  
- **Historical Context**: Launched during the Cold War, underscoring the USSR's focus on space-based military assets.  

## Body  
### Launch Details  
- **Date**: May 28, 1975.  
- **Time**: 00:25:01 UTC.  
- **Site**: Plesetsk Cosmodrome, Site 132.  

### Satellite Specifications  
- **Class**: Strela-1M, a military communications satellite.  
- **Catalog Number**: 07827.  
- **COSPAR ID**: 1975-045G.  

### Launch Vehicle  
- **Rocket**: Kosmos-3M, a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by the Soviet Union.  

### Operational Context  
- **Purpose**: Secure military communications for the Soviet armed forces.  
- **Constellation**: Part of the Strela-1M network, which included multiple satellites for global coverage.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report